Farmers at the heart of nature recovery as Defra Minister visits Upper Duddon
Minister Stephen Morgan visits a pioneering University of Leeds-supported project helping farmers restore landscapes, improve water quality and reduce flood risk.
Farmers are at the heart of efforts to restore nature, improve water quality and reduce flood risk in the Upper Duddon, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Stephen Morgan MP heard during a visit to the University of Leeds-managed Landscape Recovery project.
The Minister visited the Upper Duddon Landscape Recovery (UDLR) project to see how farmers, researchers and local partners are working together to deliver nature-friendly farming and restore the health and resilience of the landscape.
The 20-year project brings together eight farms and Hardknott Forest in a partnership involving the University of Leeds, the National Trust, Forestry England, Natural England, United Utilities, South Cumbria Rivers Trust and the University of Cumbria.
Landscape Recovery is a Defra programme that supports large-scale, long-term projects that restore nature, improve biodiversity and deliver environmental benefits across whole landscapes in England.
During the visit, Mr Morgan saw some of the achievements of the project's first year, including new fencing made from locally produced larch, a Community Tree and Wildflower Nursery, restored peatland and river habitats, and measures to improve natural flood management.
The visit also highlighted how Landscape Recovery can support farmer-led approaches to nature recovery, combining farmers' knowledge and experience of their land with expert advice on ecology, water, climate and environmental management.
Paddy Deady, a farmer involved in the Upper Duddon Landscape Recovery project, said:
“The project has brought a real buzz to the valley. It has brought farmers, local organisations and people with different expertise together, and we are all working towards something positive for the future of the Upper Duddon.
As farmers, we know our land and what works here, but the project gives us access to expertise and support that helps us make changes that benefit both farming and nature. We are already seeing the benefits, and it is exciting to think about what we can achieve together over the next 20 years.
The project takes a whole-landscape approach, recognising that farming, thriving communities, healthy rivers and recovering ecosystems are closely connected. Alongside changes to farming and land management, the project is restoring rivers and peatlands, improving public access, supporting schools and community volunteers, and providing employment for local people.
The project is also demonstrating how Landscape Recovery can bring together public and private investment to deliver environmental benefits. Match funding from organisations including United Utilities and the United Bank of Carbon is helping to support nature recovery alongside public funding from Defra, with the potential to reduce the long-term cost to taxpayers of delivering environmental public goods.
The Upper Duddon project began implementation in July 2025 and will run for 20 years, providing farmers with long-term financial security while creating the conditions for sustained nature recovery.
Read more about the project here: Upper Duddon Landscape Recovery.
